Video Conferencing at TAMIU

At Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), Cisco/Tandberg video conferencing devices are utilized. With the use of a camera, ceiling microphones, speakers and projector, meetings and classes can communicate with users at a distance simultaneously through TAMIU’s videoconferencing equipment.

Types of Video Conferencing Connections

1. TTVN Connections

TTVN is the wide area data and video network for institutions of the Texas A&M University System. It is managed for the System from Texas A&M University in College Station by the Associate Provost for Information Technology. TTVN provides two-way multi-point digital videoconferencing and data transmission services to the system component institutions. This includes the 10 TAMU System universities (College Station, Prairie View, Galveston, Commerce, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Texarkana, West Texas, Texas A&M International University and Tarleton State University), the Health Science Center, The Agriculture and Engineering Extension and Experiment agencies, The Texas Forest Service, and the Texas Transportation Institute. In addition, several affiliate institutions consisting of colleges, universities, and Independent School Districts, are connected to the network due to academic relationships with TAMUS entities.

The network carries approximately 175 graduate classes each year, provides for over 5000 conferences annually, and is the backbone for all Web based courses that originate from TAMUS institutions. TTVN provides interactive services to a network that includes over 120 dedicated video sites and over 100 data sites in 40 Texas cities. There are also links to Mexico City and Costa Rica. There are 6 sites total on the Texas A&M International University campus and remote sites in Zapata, Cotulla, Carrizo Springs and Pearsall.

TTVN can conduct simultaneous connections to multiple sites that use different brand videoconferencing equipment to communicate with one another seamlessly. TTVN acts as a bridge between sites, as it dials out to each site and monitors each connection. They work hand-in-hand with site coordinators to ensure each TTVN site is ready for connections. There are additional opportunities for recording sessions, one-way streaming of video, and phone conferencing from these meetings.

For Academic Video Conferences:

At TAMIU, TTVN is the primary option for academic courses that a require videoconferencing solution for faculty or students at a distance. This option requires the users at a distance to have access to locations with videoconferencing equipment. In the event that the person at a distance does not have access to video conferencing site, TTVN will not be used for these connections.

TAMIU can host a total of four meeting rooms simultaneously that can hold up to 25 participants, including the host. Users may share their option of video, audio and computer screens during the meeting. General information on Blue Jeans may be found at: http://www.bluejeans.com/.

For Academic Video Conferences:

If users at a distance are unable to locate a site with video conferencing equipment for TTVN connections, BlueJeans will be the next option for a videoconferencing solution. Users at a distance will be required to have a computer, webcam, and stable Internet connection. Testing will be done before classes begin to ensure this option is viable solution.

3. Point-to-Point Connections

Connections between 2 or 3 sites with videoconferencing equipment can be made, provided that testing is conducted at least 48 hours prior to the event. With successful tests, a host may dial out to each site through the IP address of the participating video conferencing systems.

For Academic Video Conferences:

Point-to-point connections are a last resort and used in case of emergency. If a connection between video conferencing sites (with video conferencing rooms) is experiencing issues through TTVN, a point-to-point connection will be attempted without TTVN. Testing must be done in advance to ensure the success of this connection.